Wolfdog.org forum - View Single Post - Co-ownership

Gypsy Wolf · 08-12-2010, 23:41

I am a big fan of co-ownership. 2 of my 4 dogs are co-owned and I currently co-own 4 other dogs - 3 of which I have bred myself. I keep at least 1 pup (my pick) from each litter I've produced on a co-ownership to be able to utilize the genetics of the dog in the future, if so desired.
The dog is, for all intents and purposes, the pet/companion of the co-owner - they cover any/all of the expenses of the dog. The idea is to place a really high-quality dog in a great home that will show/work the dog, but may not have the money upfront for such a large purchase. Plus, I may want a pup back from that particular dog.
It is also a great way to be able to control your kennel name and genetics. Breedings are not allowed without my consent, though if/when I elect to breed that particular dog, the mate is my choice and I will be responsible for any expenses involved in the breeding. I will also take back the bitch to whelp the litter if the co-owner does not want to whelp the litter.
Each contract is unique. In some contracts, I will sign over total ownership after the litter, others I only want pick pup, others specify that the co-ownerhsip is permanent for the life of the dog. Overall, I have been very pleased with co-owning dogs. I have been very selective as to who I co-own with, and my co-owners generally become friends - we have the dog's best interests at heart, regardless of whose home the dog is in.
Of course, a contract is only as good as how well it can be enforced, and I have heard some horror stories - dogs sold on a limited registration co-ownership that "accidentally" got bred... I know I co-owned a bitch a few years ago that had to be spayed emergently from a severe case of "closed" Pyometra and I felt terrible, though of course my co-owner friend was very understanding - some things just happen.
I would think it would be much more difficult to co-own in Europe if the dogs in question lived in other countries - legal issues and kennel clubs with differing laws would make a red tape mess. Here, at least, it is easier to navigate the law and appeal to AKC to mediate problems.
There are also a lot of big-name breeders (at least in German Shepherd Dogs) that "farm out" brood bitches on co-owns and breed them, so that the dogs live in good homes and the pups are raised in a better environment than just a kennel. And the "breeder" does very little except rake in their percentage...

08-12-2010, 23:41	#10
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	I am a big fan of co-ownership. 2 of my 4 dogs are co-owned and I currently co-own 4 other dogs - 3 of which I have bred myself. I keep at least 1 pup (my pick) from each litter I've produced on a co-ownership to be able to utilize the genetics of the dog in the future, if so desired. The dog is, for all intents and purposes, the pet/companion of the co-owner - they cover any/all of the expenses of the dog. The idea is to place a really high-quality dog in a great home that will show/work the dog, but may not have the money upfront for such a large purchase. Plus, I may want a pup back from that particular dog. It is also a great way to be able to control your kennel name and genetics. Breedings are not allowed without my consent, though if/when I elect to breed that particular dog, the mate is my choice and I will be responsible for any expenses involved in the breeding. I will also take back the bitch to whelp the litter if the co-owner does not want to whelp the litter. Each contract is unique. In some contracts, I will sign over total ownership after the litter, others I only want pick pup, others specify that the co-ownerhsip is permanent for the life of the dog. Overall, I have been very pleased with co-owning dogs. I have been very selective as to who I co-own with, and my co-owners generally become friends - we have the dog's best interests at heart, regardless of whose home the dog is in. Of course, a contract is only as good as how well it can be enforced, and I have heard some horror stories - dogs sold on a limited registration co-ownership that "accidentally" got bred... I know I co-owned a bitch a few years ago that had to be spayed emergently from a severe case of "closed" Pyometra and I felt terrible, though of course my co-owner friend was very understanding - some things just happen. I would think it would be much more difficult to co-own in Europe if the dogs in question lived in other countries - legal issues and kennel clubs with differing laws would make a red tape mess. Here, at least, it is easier to navigate the law and appeal to AKC to mediate problems. There are also a lot of big-name breeders (at least in German Shepherd Dogs) that "farm out" brood bitches on co-owns and breed them, so that the dogs live in good homes and the pups are raised in a better environment than just a kennel. And the "breeder" does very little except rake in their percentage...